Editor-Gazette-Journal:
We are writing on behalf of the members and friends of the historic Bethel Baptist Church about the recent decision of the Gloucester Board of Zoning Appeals to approve the location of a 150-foot-tall cell tower less than 70 yards away from the front of our entrance. Such a hideous structure would undermine the ability of the Bethel family to worship as well as fellowship in a serene and beautiful environment.
Bethel Baptist Church supports broadband—easy access to high-speed internet—for every Gloucester resident. While we recognize the need for broadband in the county and want it for ourselves and all citizens, we are firmly opposed to placing the cell tower in front of our church doors (just across Route 614).
Church representatives have held several conversations and one face-to-face meeting at Bethel Elementary School with relevant local Gloucester government officials to request a change in the cell tower location. When the BZA chose the site near our front doors, there were two other locations which the BZA was also considering. At least one of those sites seemed to be more appropriate.
Many of you reading this letter might have this question: Who is Bethel Baptist Church? Let us briefly introduce ourselves.
Bethel is one of the oldest predominantly African American congregations in Gloucester County. Founded during the Reconstruction era, Bethel has served as the center for the creation and development of many programs and organizations to serve the African American community and the community at large. Five daughter churches were born of Bethel and the church is recognized as Mother Bethel. Four of these churches are in Gloucester: New Mount Zion, Morning Glory, Smithfield and Shepherdsville; and Mount Gilead is in Williamsburg. Gov. George Allen officially recognized the church as a historic landmark in 1997. In fact, one of Gloucester County’s most prominent citizens, attorney Thomas Calhoun Walker Jr., is interred in the cemetery just feet across Route 614 from the selected location of the tower.
In addition, not long after the establishment of the church, because county officials underfunded education for African Americans, members of Bethel Baptist Church and other concerned individuals founded the Old Bethel School. The Old Bethel School attempted to address the lack of educational opportunity for African Americans, especially in the Sassafras community.
More recently, during the school name selection process, given Bethel’s historical significance, it is not surprising that the name Bethel was nominated the most. Accordingly, Bethel became the name chosen for Bethel Elementary School.
We ask your assistance in helping to settle this matter cooperatively and quickly. Call, write and email your Gloucester Board of Supervisor member. Let them know that you want them to rescind the Board of Zoning Appeals decision to place a cell tower close to the entrance of Bethel Baptist Church. Ask supervisors to choose a location for this cell tower far from human habitats and compatible with maintaining a healthy natural environment.
Rev. James Harris, Pastor
Trustee Harold Howard,
Chair Trustees
Bethel Baptist Church
Gloucester, Va.